Golf Grip Pressure: Exploring Old School Techniques
There’s loads of debate regarding golf grip pressure. Some modern advocates dismiss old school quotes as something that isn’t valid any more.
I couldn’t disagree more. This post is written from an old school perspective since I find it to more enjoyable and quite frankly – mechanically superior – to most modern instruction.
Golf Grip Pressure – In a Power Context
I release grip pressure in the downswing to stimulate the centrifugal release of the club. This is a huge booster for downswing speed input and overall power output.
Sure, my measured grip pressure might be fairly high — but my perceived pressure feels quite low.
The I “grab ahold” of my hands in the downswing in a low grip pressure setting and influence the hands movement all the way to the follow through. This is only doable in the lower pressure scenario and is a huge accelerator of the centrifugal force. In other words, my follow through action is centripetal and this stimulates more speed.
More importantly below…
Low Golf Grip Pressure – Potential Follow Through Blade Control
Can you control the club with low grip pressure? Absolutely — the old-schoolers figured it out.
In my opinion, the follow-through of many old school swing styles is only achievable with slightly lower grip pressure. On top of that, lighter grip pressure makes the motion less injury-inducing, allowing smoother, more sustainable swings. The follow through can benefit frommore centripetal action if you stay loose and this is basically the counter to injury inducing positions.
The blade control comes from two primary sources: firstly it gives the hands contiunued momementum through the impact area (but relatively braking in relation to the club) and secondly it allows you to CHOOSE what the follow through position should be. The latter indirectly influences the impact area and puts you in charge.
Check out the Forgotten Master Moves homepage here.
The FMM Project – the swing style that I teach – has it’s overview page here.